Back in business: Ill. reopens 7 state parks

Friday

Feb 27, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2009 at 8:30 AM

The “closed” signs came down today at seven state parks that fell victim to budget squabbles last year, giving local officials hope of an economic bounce as warm weather approaches and visitors return.

The “closed” signs came down Thursday at seven state parks that fell victim to budget squabbles last year, giving local officials hope of an economic bounce as warm weather approaches and visitors return.

The parks, mostly in northern Illinois and east-central Illinois, drew about 2.2 million visitors a year before former Gov. Rod Blagojevich shuttered them in November. Nearby businesses suffered when the parks closed, even in the slow winter months, and owners worried about even more pain in the spring and summer.

But Gov. Pat Quinn announced this morning that the parks were again open for business, at a cost to the state of $1.1 million. The Chicago Democrat said his predecessor’s budget cuts ultimately cost more than they saved by hurting the economy.

“We have to be much brighter and smarter than that,” Quinn said.

Soon after Quinn’s announcement, a few people braved bad weather to visit Lowden State Park in northern Illinois, said Marcia Heuer, executive director of the chamber of commerce in nearby Oregon. The park’s 50-foot statue of an American Indian was illuminated tonight for the first time in months, she said.

“That’s been the most depressing thing all this winter is not having the lights on the statue,” Heuer said. “Tonight the lights will be lit.”

Lowden and another local state park, Castle Rock, attracted about 400,000 visitors a year. The parks generate vital business for many local restaurants, gas stations and motels, she said.

Clinton Mayor Ed Wollet beamed over the reopening of Weldon Springs State Park, which draws about 333,000 visitors a year. The central Illinois park is a popular site for picnics or a leisurely day of fishing — which usually involves buying supplies in Clinton, just three miles away.

After Blagojevich closed the park, a restaurant there went out of business, ending 18 jobs, he said.

Blagojevich closed the parks, along with a dozen historic sites, last year after lawmakers ignored his budget proposals and passed a spending plan that was woefully out of balance.

Reopened parks
The following seven state parks were reopened today:

Castle Rock
Castle Rock State Park is a 2,013-acre park located in the Rock Hills region of Illinois in Ogle County. The park is well known by its rock formations, ravines and sandstone bluff for which the park is named. The annual visitation is more than 160,000 and provides recreational opportunities for picnicking, camping, hiking, boating, fishing and hunting.

Lowden
Lowden State Park is a 207-acre park located in Ogle County along the Rock River. It is home to a 50-foot Native American statue commonly known as Black Hawk. The park has an average annual attendance of more than 280,000 visitors and provides recreational opportunities for picnicking, camping, hiking, boating and fishing.

Illini
Illini State Park is a 507-acre park located in LaSalle County along the Illinois River. In the 1930s, the Conservation Civilian Corp built several buildings that are still used by the park today. It has an annual attendance of more than 700,000 and provides recreational opportunities for riverside picnic areas, camping, boating, fishing and hiking.

Hidden Springs
Hidden Springs State Forest is a 1,120-acre forest located in Shelby County. It is named for seven known springs on the property which were used for drinking water by the early settlers. Over the years, these springs have been covered over by natural siltation and vegetation (hence the name Hidden Springs). It has an annual attendance of more than 175,000 and provides recreational opportunities for picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Moraine View
Moraine View State Park is a 1,687-acre facility developed for picnicking, camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, horseback riding and hunting in McLean County. The trail system also provides opportunities for handicapped persons, and the trails are groomed in the winter for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Weldon
Weldon Springs State Park is a 550-acre park located in DeWitt County. The park is home to the historic Union School building which was moved from Logan County to the prairie at Weldon Springs, restored, furnished and equipped for use as a visitor center and a temporary classroom for area school groups that wish to relocate for a day. The park has an annual attendance of more than 333,000 and offers recreational opportunities for picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek State Park is located on Lake Shelbyville on lands leased from the Army Corps of Engineers in Shelby County. It has a very popular campground (430 sites) and is a popular equestrian destination. The four-lane boat launching ramp provides for a variety of water sports, and the sandy beach provides easy access for swimming. The Shelbyville lake provides prime and productive fishing opportunities. The park has an annual attendance of more than 412,000 and provides recreational opportunities for picnicking, camping, boating and hiking.
— Rockford Register Star